Sevastopol celebrates Matthew West's life

The West family received several gifts including framed jerseys, photos and a football helmet from coaches and the Sevastopol School District as part of the celebration. Pictures are Shawn (left), Aimee, Nick and Mackenzie West.(Photo: Samantha Hernandez/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)Buy Photo

The constant drizzle and gray, cloudy sky did not deter people from attending the celebration of life picnic for Matthew West on Sunday.

Matthew died from Streptococcus pneumoniae, a strain of meningitis, in June. His parents, Aimee and Shawn West, made the heartbreaking decision to donate his organs. His heart went to a recipient in Indiana, the left kidney and pancreas went to a Wisconsin patient who had been on the transplant waiting list since September of 2012, and his right kidney was received by a patient in Illinois who had been on the waiting list since April 2016.

The Sevastopol School District spearheaded the celebration with the help of numerous area businesses, coaches and community members. It was held at the Sevastopol Town Park.

Sports played a big part in Sunday's celebration because of Matthew's love for football and wrestling.

He was always willing to help the coaches out, said middle school wrestling coach Leif Lautenbach in an interview.

"He showed up early, he stayed late and did anything you wanted him to do," Lautenbach said.

The West family received several gifts including framed jerseys, photos and a football helmet from coaches and the district as part of the celebration.

Going forward the Sturgeon Bay Sevastopol Wrestling Club is planning to award a Matthew West Biggest Heart Award each year to a player.

Kids and adults played on the playground, played games, and also wrote messages to Matthew on balloons and in his yearbook.

A number of Matthew's teammates from wrestling attended the event.

Caden Kacmarynski participated in wrestling, track and football with him.

"He was really nice and always had good intentions," he said. "And in any sport or whatever he was doing, you could always tell he was trying his hardest."

He said he liked Matthew's funny impressions, jokes and dances.

"He was really funny in the locker room," Triston Beauchamp said. "There will always be a place that's missing (without him)."

Matthew lost with "grace" but was proud of his wins, Caden said.

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Darrel (left) and William Lautenbach play games during Sevastopol School District's celebration of life picnic for Matthew West.(Photo: Samantha Hernandez/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

Adam Baier, Sevastopol's middle and high school principal, was one of several speakers during the celebration. He spoke about what lessons people could take away from Matthew's loss.

"What I have learned is Matt has given us an ultimate gift. He has shown us how to live our lives and how to move forward," Baier said.

Toward the end of the event the children were given the opportunity to release the balloons. By that time the sun had come out.

Balloons were released as part of the celebration.(Photo: Samantha Hernandez/USA TODAY NETWORK-WIsocnsin)

How you can help

Family friend and Sevastopol substitute teacher Jenn Kacmarynski has arranged a meals to be delivered to the family through the website meal train. To sign up, go to www.mealtrain.com/trains/q7zqq8.

In lieu of flowers, the West family asked for people to donate to the Sturgeon Bay Sevastopol Wrestling Club. Matthew was an avid wrestler. Donations can be made out to the SBS Wrestling Club and can be dropped off or mailed to the Sevastopol School District, 4550 Wisconsin 57, Sturgeon Bay.